The free-born daughter of one of the first Black female doctors in the U.S., Libertie is destined to follow in her mother's footsteps. But when her light-skinned mother begins pandering to the white women she treats (often forcing darker-skinned Libertie to look away or leave the room during examinations at the women's requests), Libertie is uncertain about her mother's plans for her. As she leaves home for her education and, eventually, for her marriage, Libertie continues to search for her place in the world.
This is an interesting visit to the world of free Blacks during the Civil War and Reconstruction era both in the North and abroad in Haiti, looking at their culture, politics, and the struggle to find an identity, both personally and collectively. Greenidge creates a well-developed setting for Libertie and her friends and family, all of whom are vivid and realistic in their characterization. My only complaint is that Libertie seems to be more of an observer to the world around her, not really offering strong opinions or standing on her own two feet until the very end. I would've liked to see more of her once she came into her own. But this is well worth a read for the ruminations it inspires.
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